Atlanta Child Custody Lawyer

Child Custody Disputes in Atlanta Georgia

The most difficult part of any divorce in which the couple has children is the issue of their future relationship with the children. It is important in most circumstances that both parents continue a healthy, loving relationship with the children. Obviously, there are exceptions to this when there are allegations of abuse, neglect, etc. Divorcing parents need to work together, if possible, to come up with a workable parenting plan that allows both parents to be actively involved in their children’s lives.

There are two kinds of custody that must be determined when parents get divorced: legal and physical. Legal custody allows a parent to make decisions regarding the minor child when the child is in his/her custody. Physical custody is the determination of who the child will live with a majority of the time. This person is known as the Primary Physical Custodian. It is the primary physical custodian who receives child support from the other parent. In rare instances the court will allow joint physical custody. This is normally a 50/50 living situation where the parents of the children have nearly equal financial resources. In such situation neither party pays child support.

If the parents can reach a custody decision on their own, the court will make one for them. In such cases the court will apply the “best interests of the child” test in making a determination. It is always better for you to reach an agreement on your own if you can. Sometimes that is simply not possible. Either way, there are important considerations that need to be factored into the decision making process, and you should have an experienced child custody attorney representing your interests.